Technology and Artificial Intelligence, both today and in the near future, are dominated by autom... more Technology and Artificial Intelligence, both today and in the near future, are dominated by automated algorithms that combine optimization with models based on the human brain to learn, predict, and even influence the large-scale behavior of human users. Such applications can be understood to be outgrowths of historical trends in industry and academia, yet have far-reaching and even unintended consequences for social and political life around the world. Countries in different parts of the world take different regulatory views for the role and protection of user data, and this will in turn determine the course of development for technology and AI in the near future
The paper will progress in three sections. In the first section, I will briefly locate Erickson w... more The paper will progress in three sections. In the first section, I will briefly locate Erickson within the field of evangelical theology and analyze his theological method. In the following section, I’ll examine his attempt to make theology more relevant to a postmodern audience. The third section shows how Grenz’s theological method offers a promising alternative to Erickson’s approach. The paper will argue that Erickson’s modernist framework of objectivity neglected the role of experience in doing theology and therefore significantly hindered his effort to reach a wider audience. This topic is significant given the vast influence Erickson’s writings have had internationally, in many places being accepted uncritically. Hopefully a more nuanced understanding of context will help evangelical theologians’s better discern orthodoxy from Anglo-American cultural biases.
In this paper, I start by building a short lexicom of Postcolonial terms. I then use these terms ... more In this paper, I start by building a short lexicom of Postcolonial terms. I then use these terms for building a short sketch of a Postcolonial Ecumenical Theology for the Latin American context.
This paper critically surveys the similar yet independently-developed Postcolonial and Decolonial... more This paper critically surveys the similar yet independently-developed Postcolonial and Decolonial studies that have emerged in the last fifty years. I will begin by providing a short historical overview of the emergence of each school of thought. I will then compare and contrast highlighting primarily their differences. I will then survey their intersection with theology as Christianity played a crucial role in the colonial project. I will argue that building on the foundation of a critique of colonization of knowledge, Decolonial and Postcolonial theory must move beyond binary conceptions of power to take into account multiple relations of dependence and antagonism within postcolonial societies. This is especially true in their interaction with theology that continues to be tied to reductionist notions that Christianity is synonymous with colonialism. While this critique is still necessary as colonial tendencies persist in globalized capitalism; the emergence of a multi-polar world demands a greater understanding not only of the Western colonial legacy but also the inter-relationships between and within postcolonial nations. Only by doing so, can post/decolonial thinking transcend its deconstructive nature to truly become a constructive theory for alternative futures.
Can the Son of God be disdainful? This question is at the heart of this pericope that describes t... more Can the Son of God be disdainful? This question is at the heart of this pericope that describes the only situation in the gospel in which Jesus is, at least on the surface, outwitted by another character in the story. For centuries, interpreters have struggled with the apparent disdain that Jesus demonstrates towards the woman. While the interpretations vary, they can be mostly divided into two camps. The first one sees Jesus acting as a wise teacher and his initial statement is a test that the woman passes with flying colors. Along these lines are parallels with Old Testament stories, the imitatio theory, and the burden of Mark’s overall portrayal of Jesus throughout the gospel - as one who is in control of the situation. The second one interprets it to be Jesus’ genuine response to the woman as a teacher with Jewish bias, bearing to the historicity of the event. Therefore, this view tends to interpret the passage in a more literal sense. This position has been put forward by a number of interpreters and especially from those coming from a postcolonial or feminist view.
Technology and Artificial Intelligence, both today and in the near future, are dominated by autom... more Technology and Artificial Intelligence, both today and in the near future, are dominated by automated algorithms that combine optimization with models based on the human brain to learn, predict, and even influence the large-scale behavior of human users. Such applications can be understood to be outgrowths of historical trends in industry and academia, yet have far-reaching and even unintended consequences for social and political life around the world. Countries in different parts of the world take different regulatory views for the role and protection of user data, and this will in turn determine the course of development for technology and AI in the near future
The paper will progress in three sections. In the first section, I will briefly locate Erickson w... more The paper will progress in three sections. In the first section, I will briefly locate Erickson within the field of evangelical theology and analyze his theological method. In the following section, I’ll examine his attempt to make theology more relevant to a postmodern audience. The third section shows how Grenz’s theological method offers a promising alternative to Erickson’s approach. The paper will argue that Erickson’s modernist framework of objectivity neglected the role of experience in doing theology and therefore significantly hindered his effort to reach a wider audience. This topic is significant given the vast influence Erickson’s writings have had internationally, in many places being accepted uncritically. Hopefully a more nuanced understanding of context will help evangelical theologians’s better discern orthodoxy from Anglo-American cultural biases.
In this paper, I start by building a short lexicom of Postcolonial terms. I then use these terms ... more In this paper, I start by building a short lexicom of Postcolonial terms. I then use these terms for building a short sketch of a Postcolonial Ecumenical Theology for the Latin American context.
This paper critically surveys the similar yet independently-developed Postcolonial and Decolonial... more This paper critically surveys the similar yet independently-developed Postcolonial and Decolonial studies that have emerged in the last fifty years. I will begin by providing a short historical overview of the emergence of each school of thought. I will then compare and contrast highlighting primarily their differences. I will then survey their intersection with theology as Christianity played a crucial role in the colonial project. I will argue that building on the foundation of a critique of colonization of knowledge, Decolonial and Postcolonial theory must move beyond binary conceptions of power to take into account multiple relations of dependence and antagonism within postcolonial societies. This is especially true in their interaction with theology that continues to be tied to reductionist notions that Christianity is synonymous with colonialism. While this critique is still necessary as colonial tendencies persist in globalized capitalism; the emergence of a multi-polar world demands a greater understanding not only of the Western colonial legacy but also the inter-relationships between and within postcolonial nations. Only by doing so, can post/decolonial thinking transcend its deconstructive nature to truly become a constructive theory for alternative futures.
Can the Son of God be disdainful? This question is at the heart of this pericope that describes t... more Can the Son of God be disdainful? This question is at the heart of this pericope that describes the only situation in the gospel in which Jesus is, at least on the surface, outwitted by another character in the story. For centuries, interpreters have struggled with the apparent disdain that Jesus demonstrates towards the woman. While the interpretations vary, they can be mostly divided into two camps. The first one sees Jesus acting as a wise teacher and his initial statement is a test that the woman passes with flying colors. Along these lines are parallels with Old Testament stories, the imitatio theory, and the burden of Mark’s overall portrayal of Jesus throughout the gospel - as one who is in control of the situation. The second one interprets it to be Jesus’ genuine response to the woman as a teacher with Jewish bias, bearing to the historicity of the event. Therefore, this view tends to interpret the passage in a more literal sense. This position has been put forward by a number of interpreters and especially from those coming from a postcolonial or feminist view.
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